SMART IDENTITY SYSTEM - Biographic data associated with a user is received. Biometric data associated with the user is also received. External data associated with the biographic data and the biometric data is received and a determination is made as to a level of access to grant the user based on the external data. One or more settings associated with a smartcard are configured based on the level of access.

2009-03-26

20090080709

Whole-Hand Multispectral Biometric Imaging - A number of biometric systems and methods are disclosed. A system according to one embodiment includes an illumination subsystem, an imaging subsystem, and an analyzer. The illumination subsystem is disposed to illuminate a target space. The imaging subsystem is configured to image the target space under distinct optical conditions. The analyzer is provided in communication with the illumination subsystem, the imaging subsystem, and the three-dimensional subsystem. The analyzer also has instructions to operate the subsystems to collect substantially simultaneously a plurality of images of the object disposed at the predetermined spatial location under multispectral conditions.

2009-03-26

20090080710

Biological Information Storing Apparatus, Biological Authentication Apparatus, Data Structure for Biological Authentication, and Biological Authentication Method - A biological information storing apparatus includes: a biological information storing unit for storing biological information for authenticating reception of a first service; a biological information acquisition unit for acquiring biological information for authenticating reception of a second service different from the first service; and a determination unit for determining whether the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, wherein when the determination unit determines that the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, either the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit or the biological information stored in the storing unit is selected and stored into the storing unit as biological information for authenticating the reception of the first service and the second service.

2009-03-26

20090080711

APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETECTING OBJECT FROM IMAGE - A storage unit stores therein features and reliabilities of respective first segment regions divided from a first region. An object extracting unit extracts a second region including an object from input image data. A reliability calculating unit calculates reliabilities of respective second segment regions divided from the second region. A feature calculating unit calculates features of the respective second segment regions. A similarity calculating unit calculates an object similarity by performing multiplication of: segment similarities between the features of the first segment regions divided from the first region and the features of the second segment regions; and reliabilities of the respective segment regions, and then by summing up obtained values from the multiplication. A determining unit determines that an object included in the first region matches an object included in the second region when the object similarity is greater than a threshold.

2009-03-26

20090080712

Eye Detection System - An eye detection system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. The eye detection apparatus includes illuminator, receiver, processor, and memory elements. The illuminator emits radiation at predetermined wavelengths from the eye detection apparatus toward an area of interest. Radiation from the area of interest is detected at the receiver which, in turn, provides sensor data to the processor. The processor is coupled to the illuminator and receiver and controls their respective operations. The processor detects a pattern representative of a human eye in the sensor data and determines coordinates of an object corresponding to the pattern. The memory stores the coordinates of the object. Optionally, the eye detection apparatus communicates the coordinates of the object to a wireless device and directs countermeasures to the object's coordinates in response to commands from the wireless device.

2009-03-26

20090080713

FACE TRACKING IN A CAMERA PROCESSOR - A method operable in a digital image acquisition system having no photographic film is provided. The method comprises receiving a relatively low resolution image of a scene from an image stream, wherein the scene potentially includes one or more faces. At least one high quality face classifier is applied to the image to identify relatively large and medium sized face regions and at least one relaxed face classifier is applied to the image to identify relatively small sized face regions. A relatively high resolution image of nominally the same scene is received and at least one high quality face classifier is applied to the identified small sized face regions in the higher resolution version of said image.

2009-03-26

20090080714

Electronic Apparatus and Image Display Control Method of the Electronic Apparatus - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus extracts face images of persons from video content data and outputs timestamp information indicating time points at which each extracted face image appears in the video content data, and displays face images in each column of a plurality of face image display areas arranged in a matrix based on the time stamp information. The apparatus detects presence or absence of a face area in each frame consisting of the video content data and decides a cutout range of the detected face area. And, the apparatus adjusts a case in which the cutout range of the decided face area protrudes outside the frame.

2009-03-26

20090080715

Face imaging system for recordal and automated identity confirmation - A face imaging system for recordal and/or automated identity confirmation, including a camera unit and a camera unit controller. The camera unit includes a video camera, a rotatable mirror system for directing images of the security area into the video camera, and a ranging unit for detecting the presence of a target and for providing target range data, comprising distance, angle and width information, to the camera unit controller. The camera unit controller includes software for detecting face images of the target, tracking of detected face images, and capture of high quality face images. A communication system is provided for sending the captured face images to an external controller for face verification, face recognition and database searching. Face detection and face tracking is performed using the combination of video images and range data and the captured face images are recorded and/or made available for face recognition and searching.

2009-03-26

20090080716

IMAGE RECOGNITION DEVICE FOR PERFORMING IMAGE RECOGNITION INCLUDING OBJECT IDENTIFICATION ON EACH OF INPUT IMAGES - A digital camera picks up an image of an object for face authentication prior to each of, for example, continuous photographing operations, and operates as follows if performing an actual photographing process only when a face of a designated person can be recognized in the acquired image. If the face of the designated person can be recognized at an arbitrary timing and the actual photographing process is performed, the digital camera changes a plurality of recognition conditions at the arbitrary timing, thereby reducing face recognition accuracy used if the face of the designated person is recognized at a time of second and following face recognitions. By reducing the face recognition accuracy, the second and following face recognitions can be performed at high speed. Besides, since the designated person can be recognized once during the previous face recognition, similar recognition accuracy to the unchanged and unreduced recognition accuracy (without changing the face recognition conditions) can be substantially ensured.

2009-03-26

20090080717

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING FINGERPRINT SPOOFING - A system to detect fingerprint spoofing. In response to detecting a finger on a scanner plate, the finger is scanned to produce a scanned image of the finger. The scanned image of the finger is compared with a plurality of stored fingerprint images in a storage unit to validate an identity of a user. In response to determining that a match is found between the scanned image of the finger and one of the plurality of stored fingerprint images in the storage unit, a temperature around the scanner plate is regulated to activate sweat glands in the finger. The finger is rescanned after a predetermined period of time to produce a second scanned image of the finger. In response to determining that a sweat pattern is found in the second scanned image of the finger, access is authorized to a secure object and a message is displayed to the user.

METHOD, SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE FOR DISPLAYING MEDICAL IMAGES - In a system for displaying medical images, a first linear array of medical images representing multiple views of a patient taken approximately contemporaneously may be displayed. The images may automatically be ordered within the array based on the represented views. A second linear array of medical images adjacent to the first linear array may contemporaneously be displayed. The images of the second linear array may represent the same views of the patient as in the first linear array taken approximately contemporaneously but at an earlier time from the images of the first linear array. Like views of the patient may be aligned as between the first linear array and the second linear array. Correlation of features between images may thus be facilitated. Alternatively, one or more principal views and one or more non-principal views of a patient in a set of medical images may be identified. Each principal view may automatically be displayed in a particular size on a separate display of an array of displays, while each non-principal view may automatically be displayed on the remaining display or displays of the array in a smaller size.

2009-03-26

20090080720

KITS FOR REDUNDANT IMAGE ACQUISITION - A kit for capturing a first primary image and a second backup image from a single exposure. The kit may include a first imaging source and a second imaging source. The kit may further include an attachment mechanism for attaching the first imaging source to the second imaging source such that first imaging source and the second imaging source may be simultaneously exposed to capture a first primary image and a second backup image, respectively, of a same anatomy. The kit may further include a sterilization sheath to cover both the first imaging source and the second imaging source when the first imaging source and the second imaging source are attached and being used to capture images.

2009-03-26

20090080721

Method and system for image pumping - A method and system to “pump” radiation therapy (RT) images and associated patient information on an Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) system to a Record and Verify (R&V) system via a standard DICOM connection to allow remote image viewing. Targeted image files in IGRT systems are searched for and transferred automatically. The user identifies the “inlet,” i.e. the source from which the image files are searched, and the “outlet,” i.e., the DICOM server to which the “pumped” imaged are directed. The images can be sent in their original form or fused. The “input” source is scanned periodically at a user-determined time interval. In order not to send the same image multiple time, a time filter skips images generated before a user-selected time and date.

2009-03-26

20090080722

SPECTRAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, COMPUTER-EXECUTABLE SPECTRAL IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND SPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM - A spectral image processing method is capable of reducing noise while maintaining necessary information. The spectral image processing method performs processing on a spectral image of a specimen, including a step of normalizing spectra (=spectral brightness curves) of respective pixels constituting the spectral image such that their brightness levels become equal, a step of smoothing the normalized spectra in spatial directions of the respective pixels, and a step of denormalization of multiplying spectra of the respective pixels obtained by the smoothing by either one of brightness levels of the pixels corresponding the spectra and values corresponding to the brightness levels. Consequently, the noise can be reduced while information on brightness distribution on the image is maintained.

2009-03-26

20090080723

DIFFUSE OPTICAL IMAGING CORRECTED FOR BOUNDARY EFFECTS - A method of optically imaging an object includes the determination of a source point and a destination point within the object. Planar boundaries are selected that approximate a geometrical shape of the object, and virtual sources are found using a reflection of the original source through the boundaries. Subsequent reflections of the added sources may be used to find higher order sources. Contributions to an optical transfer function from each of the added sources are added to determine a cumulative optical transfer function until a convergence limit is reached. The resulting optical transfer function is more accurate than the original in that it takes boundary phenomena into consideration.

2009-03-26

20090080724

IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - This invention consists in an image processing method in which the similarity between a first pixel and a second pixel constituting an image is numerically given by statistical testing, and the values of the first and second pixels are averaged when the similarity numerically given is high, whereas the first and second pixel values are not averaged when the determined similarity is low, whereby an image with noises suppressed is obtained without spoiling a spatial resolution as well as a temporal resolution.

2009-03-26

20090080725

METHODS USING RECURRENCE QUANTIFICATION ANALYSIS TO ANALYZE AND GENERATE IMAGES - Methods for identifying and quantifying recurrent and deterministic patterns in digital images are provided. The methods, which are based on Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA), generate similarity or dissimilarity distance matrices for digital images that may be used to calculate a variety of quantitative characteristics for the images. Also provided are methods for identifying and imaging spatial distributions of time variable signals generated from dynamic systems. In these methods a time variable signal is recorded for a plurality of area or volume elements into which a dynamic system has been sectioned and RQA is used to calculate one or more RQA variables for each of the area or volume elements, which may then be used to generate a two or three dimensional image displaying the spatial distribution of the RQA variables across the system.

Method and system for vessel segmentation in fluoroscopic images - A method and system for vessel segmentation in fluoroscopic images is disclosed. Hierarchical learning-based detection is used to perform the vessel segmentation. A boundary classifier is trained and used to detect boundary pixels of a vessel in a fluoroscopic image. A cross-segment classifier is trained and used to detect cross-segments connecting the boundary pixels. A quadrilateral classifier is trained and used to detect quadrilaterals connecting the cross segments. Dynamic programming is then used to combine the quadrilaterals to generate a tubular structure representing the vessel.

2009-03-26

20090080729

Method and system for evaluating image segmentation based on visibility - A method and system for evaluating image segmentation is disclosed. In order to quantitatively evaluate an image segmentation technique, synthetic image data is generated and the synthetic image data is segmented to extract an object using the segmentation technique. This segmentation results in a foreground containing the extracted object and a background. The visibility of the extracted object is quantitatively measured based on the intensity distributions of the segmented foreground and background. The visibility is quantitatively measured by calculating the Jeffries-Matusita distance between the foreground and background intensity distributions. This method can be used to evaluate segmentation of vessels in fluoroscopic image sequences by coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

2009-03-26

20090080730

IMAGING FACIAL SIGNS OF NEURO-PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES - The invention provides an integrated framework for detecting peripheral sympathetic responses through imaging. The measurements may be performed on three facial areas of sympathetic importance, that is, periorbital, supraorbital, and maxillary. Because the imaging measurements are thermal in nature and comprise multiple components of variable frequency (i.e., blood flow, sweat gland activation, and breathing), wavelets are used as the image analysis framework. The image analysis may be grounded on GSR signals.

2009-03-26

20090080731

System and Method for Multiple-Instance Learning for Computer Aided Diagnosis - A method for training a classifier for classifying candidate regions in computer aided diagnosis of digital medical images includes providing a training set of images, each image including one or more candidate regions that have been identified as suspicious by a computer aided diagnosis system. Each image has been manually annotated to identify malignant regions. Multiple instance learning is applied to train a classifier to classify suspicious regions in a new image as malignant or benign by identifying those candidate regions that overlap a same identified malignant region, grouping each candidate region that overlaps the same identified malignant region into a same bag, and maximizing a probability

2009-03-26

20090080732

System and Method for Performing Probabilistic Classification and Decision Support Using Multidimensional Medical Image Databases - A system and method for providing decision support to a physician during a medical examination is disclosed. Data is received from a sensor representing a particular medical measurement. The received data includes image data. The received data and context data is analyzed with respect to one or more sets of training models. Probability values for the particular medical measurement and other measurements to be taken are derived based on the analysis and based on identified classes. The received image data is compared with training images. Distance values are determined between the received image data and the training images, and the training images are associated with the identified classes. Absolute value feature sensitivity scores are derived for the particular medical measurement and other measurements to be taken based on the analysis. The probability values, distance values and absolute value feature sensitivity scores are outputted to the user.

2009-03-26

20090080733

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLASSIFYING FOLLICULAR UNITS - A system and method for classifying follicular units based on the number of hairs in a follicular unit of interest comprises acquiring an image of a body surface having a follicular unit of interest, processing the image to calculate a contour of the follicular unit and an outline profile which disregards concavities in the contour, and determining the number of defects in the outline profile to determine the number of hairs in the follicular unit. The system and method may also adjust for hairs which converge beneath the skin and for images which appear as a single wide hair but which are actually multiple hairs. In another aspect, a system and method for determining the end points of a follicular unit comprises generating a skeleton of a segmented image and identifying the end points from the skeletonized image.

2009-03-26

20090080734

DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT SYSTEM - A region of interest is set by region of interest setting means in each of medical images obtained in chronological order. Similar case search means searches for a case information set including a case image having a region of similar pictorial characteristics to each of the regions of interest. When the corresponding case information set has been extracted through the search, case information display means displays test result information sets including not only the case images of similar pictorial characteristics but also all case images, test purposes, findings, and the like in the case information sets in chronological order of tests.

2009-03-26

20090080735

MACHINE VISION AND SPECTROSCOPIC PHARMACEUTICAL VERIFICATION - A pharmaceutical solid in a prescription vial is identified from an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid using light reflected from two different light sources. For each known pharmaceutical solid, an optical property of the known pharmaceutical solid is stored. The prescription vial is illuminated with a first light source and a first image is recorded. The prescription vial is then illuminated with a second light source and a second image is recorded. The first image and the second image are processed to find an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid. The optical property found is compared to the stored optical properties. The identity of the pharmaceutical solid is determined from the comparison. The first light source and the second light source are selected to remove artifacts of the prescription bottle or to enhance or suppress two-dimensional or three-dimensional effects on the surface of the pharmaceutical solid.

2009-03-26

20090080736

Method and device for the separate three-dimensional representation of arteries and veins in an examination object and device - There is described a method for a separate three-dimensional representation of arteries and/or veins of a vascular system in an examination object by means of a tomography x-ray device with the following steps: Implementation of a mask pass of the x-ray device with N projections at N angular positions about the examination object without contrast agent; Implementation of a first filler pass of the x-ray device about the examination object with M projections at M of the N angular positions after injection of a contrast agent, where M

2009-03-26

20090080737

System and Method for Use of Fluoroscope and Computed Tomography Registration for Sinuplasty Navigation - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of improved medical device navigation. Certain embodiments include acquiring a first image of a patient anatomy, a second image of patient anatomy, and creating a registered image based on the first and second images. Certain preferred embodiments teach systems and methods of automated image registration without the use of fiducial markers, headsets, or manual registration. Thus the embodiments teach a simplified method of image registration that allows a medical device to be navigated within a patient anatomy. Furthermore, the embodiments teach navigating a medical device in a patient anatomy with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, the improved systems and methods of image registration provide for improved accuracy of the registered images.

2009-03-26

20090080738

EDGE DETECTION IN ULTRASOUND IMAGES - Embodiments of the present invention improve edge detection in 2-dimensional image data that may be carried out automatically with minimal user involvement. The invention is carried automatically, using an image processing technique that results in generation of a segmented edge contour, which may then be used in 3-dimensional reconstruction and segmentation.

2009-03-26

20090080739

SWEPT SOURCE OCT APPARATUS - A method of performing spectral OCT imaging on a target involves repeatedly scanning said target along a transverse scanning line with an object beam derived from an OCT interferometer having a narrowband source. The wavelength of the narrowband source is modulated over a range of wavelengths at a rate that is slow relative to the rate of scanning the target. The object beam returned from the target is detected to produce a set of data obtained from multiple scans along said scanning line over the entire range of wavelengths. The data is then processed to extract an OCT image (typically a B-scan) of the target containing depth information.

2009-03-26

20090080740

Automatic Lesion Detection and Characterization Using Generative Model of Enhancement Dynamics in Breast MR - A method for automatic detection of lesions within MR images includes administering a magnetic contrast agent into a subject. A sequence of MR images are acquired at predetermined intervals of time. One or more regions of suspicion are automatically identified within the MR images. A bidirectional exchange of the magnetic contrast agent between each compartment and its neighboring compartment is monitored for each compartment within each region of suspicion. Each region of suspicion is characterized based on the bidirectional exchange between each of its compartments and their neighboring compartments.

2009-03-26

20090080741

Multi-Scale Analysis of Signal Enhancement in Breast MRI - A method for computer assisted lesion detection in magnetic resonance (MR) images includes acquiring dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MR images. The images are processed to produce a subtraction image illustrating change in voxel enhancement between the images. A Gaussian low-pass filter is applied to the subtraction image. An elimination mask is created from the filtered subtraction image by removing voxels with enhancement values below a threshold value. The elimination mask is used to remove noise from the subtraction image. One or more regions of suspicion are automatically detected from the noise-removed subtraction image. To produce the subtraction image, DCE-MR images are divided into first and second sub-sets. Positive-signed enhancement values of voxels of the MR images from the first sub-set are added to a combined subtraction image along with absolute values of all enhancement values of voxels of the MR images from the second sub-set.

2009-03-26

20090080742

IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An image display device includes: an image acquiring section that acquires sets of cross-sectional images of a subject captured at different image capturing positions arranged in a predetermined direction with respect to the subject; and a target site setting section that sets a target site on a cross-sectional image of one of the cross-sectional image sets acquired by the image acquiring section. The device further includes: a cross-sectional image search section that detects a cross-sectional image including a site corresponding to the target site from a plurality of cross-sectional images forming another one of the cross-sectional image sets excluding the cross-sectional image set having the target site set therein by the target site setting section; and an image display section that displays the cross-sectional image detected by the cross-sectional image search section.

IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - When a series of present images have been taken at a follow-up examination of a patient, correspondence data is produced, showing correspondence between the respective present images and past images that were taken at past examinations of the same patient under similar condition. The correspondence data is stored in association with the present images. In a normal mode of an image interpretation making terminal, a designated one of the present images is displayed on a monitor. When a comparison mode is selected, such past images that correspond to the designated present image are retrieved from among those taken at the respective past examinations with reference to the correspondence data, so that the present image and the corresponding past images are displayed in turn or in parallel on the monitor.

2009-03-26

20090080745

Method and system for measuring left ventricle volume - A method and system for measuring the volume of the left ventricle (LV) in a 3D medical image, such as a CT, volume is disclosed. Heart chambers are segmented in the CT volume, including at least the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. An optimal threshold value is automatically determined based on voxel intensities within the LV endocardium and voxel intensities between the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. Voxels within the LV endocardium are labeled as blood pool voxels or papillary muscle voxels based on the optimal threshold value. The LV volume can be measured excluding the papillary muscles based on the number of blood pool voxels, and the LV volume can be measured including the papillary muscles based on the total number of voxels within the LV endocardium.

2009-03-26

20090080746

System and method for automated magnetic resonance scan prescription for optic nerves - A method and system for automated magnetic resonance (MR) scan prescription is disclosed. A 3D MR scout image is obtained by an initial MR scan. The location of an optic nerve in the scout image is determined by registering a template image to the scout image using a hierarchical series of rigid registrations. The hierarchical series of rigid registrations utilizes a coarse to fine scheme to register regions in the template image to the scout image, starting with the whole template image and finishing with the optic nerve. A diagnostic MR scan is then aligned based on the location of the optic nerve in the scout image, and the diagnostic scan is performed resulting in a high quality diagnostic 3D MR image.

2009-03-26

20090080747

User interface for polyp annotation, segmentation, and measurement in 3D computed tomography colonography - A method and system for providing a user interface for polyp annotation, segmentation, and measurement in computer tomography colonography (CTC) volumes is disclosed. The interface receives an initial polyp position in a CTC volume, and automatically segments the polyp based on the initial polyp position. In order to segment the polyp, a polyp tip is detected in the CTC volume using a trained 3D point detector. A local polar coordinate system is then fit to the colon surface in the CTC volume with the origin at the detected polyp tip. Polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels are detected along each axis of the local polar coordinate system using a trained 3D box. A boundary voxel is detected on each axis of the local polar coordinate system based on the detected polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels by boosted 1D curve parsing using a trained classifier. This results in a segmented polyp boundary. The segmented polyp is displayed in the user interface, and a user can modify the segmented polyp boundary using the interface. The interface can measure the size of the segmented polyp in three dimensions. The user can also use the interface for polyp annotation in CTC volumes.

2009-03-26

20090080748

System, Method and Apparatus for Small Pulmonary Nodule Computer Aided Diagnosis from Computed Tomography Scans - The present invention is a multi-stage detection algorithm using a successive nodule candidate refinement approach. The detection algorithm involves four major steps. First, the lung region is segmented from a whole lung CT scan. This is followed by a hypothesis generation stage in which nodule candidate locations are identified from the lung region. In the third stage, nodule candidate sub-images pass through a streaking artifact removal process. The nodule candidates are then successively refined using a sequence of filters of increasing complexity. A first filter uses attachment area information to remove vessels and large vessel bifurcation points from the nodule candidate list. A second filter removes small bifurcation points. The invention also improves the consistency of nodule segmentations. This invention uses rigid-body registration, histogram-matching, and a rule-based adjustment system to remove missegmented voxels between two segmentations of the same nodule at different times.

2009-03-26

20090080749

COMBINING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - The invention relates to a method of combining magnetic resonance (MR) images to form a combined image, to a device for implementing such a method, and to a computer program comprising instructions for performing such a method when the computer program is run on a computer. Large transitions in pixel values in such combined images could make visual interpretation of the combined image difficult. A method of combining MR images to form a combined image that is easier to interpret visually is therefore desirable. Accordingly, a method of forming a combined image is disclosed, wherein pixel intensity values of at least one of the images is modified based on an interpolation operation, and the two MR images are suitably merged to form a combined image.

Breast tomosynthesis with display of highlighted suspected calcifications - Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.

2009-03-26

20090080753

Radiography image processing method - A radiography image processing method includes obtaining an image of a body being examined. The intensity of each of a plurality of areas of the image are determined and the intensity of each of the plurality of areas of the image are used to determined a respective contrast range to be applied selectively to each of said areas of the image. The determined contrast range is then applied to each of said areas of the image thereby to obtain a processed image having relatively uniform contrast ranges in areas of differing intensity.

2009-03-26

20090080754

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING RADIATION IMAGE - The invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing a radiation image. For a subject area, a radiation image signal corrected for leak charge is obtained by subtracting, from a GateOn signal obtained by turning on a transistor switch of a detecting element of a radiation detector, a GateOff signal obtained by turning off the transistor switch. A threshold value is less than or equal to a pixel saturation value. For an unblocked area where the radiation image signal is greater than the threshold value, the GateOn signal is utilized as the radiation image signal.

2009-03-26

20090080755

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING RADIATION IMAGE - The present invention relates to a radiation image processing apparatus and a processing method. A processing condition selector selects from a processing condition memory a processing condition for extraction or removal of a specific object in radiation image information. The processing condition includes two different image capturing conditions which are provided to a radiation source controller. The radiation source controller controls a radiation source with each image capturing condition to apply radiation to a subject and a solid-state radiation detector stores radiation image information of the subject. An image processor performs a weighted subtraction using stored radiation image information in accordance with the processing condition to achieve extraction or removal of the specific object. The resultant radiation image information is displayed on a display unit.

2009-03-26

20090080756

Method and system for correcting butting artifacts in X-ray images - A method and system for correcting butting artifacts in x-ray images is disclosed. In order to correct a butting artifact in an x-ray image, a butting artifact region in the x-ray image is normalized. Multiple intensity shift estimators are calculated for each pixel of each line of the butting artifact. Confidence intervals are calculated for each intensity shift estimator. A multiple hypothesis hidden Markov model (MH-HMM) is formulated based on the intensity shift operators and confidence measures subject to a smoothness constraint, and the MH-HMM is solved to determine intensity shift values for each pixel. A corrected image is generated by adjusting the intensity of each pixel of the butting artifact based on the intensity shift value for that pixel.

2009-03-26

20090080757

DETECTING ACCESS DISCONNECT BY PATTERN RECOGNITION - A blood detection system is used to detect blood in a patient undergoing an extracorporeal blood therapy, such as hemodialysis or apheresis. The blood detection system uses a digital video device, which may be a camera, such as a standard digital video camera, a low light camera, an infrared camera, or a night vision camera. The digital image is sent to a computer with image processing and pattern recognition software. The software is used to detect whether a pool of blood is forming at the access site. The system is able to detect a pool of blood atop the access site, such as when a leak or a dislodgement of a needle occurs. The system is also able to detect pooling of blood under the skin, as a result, for instance, infiltration of an arteriovenous fistula.

2009-03-26

20090080758

Processes for Encoding Substrates with Information and Related Substrates - The present invention provides processes to encode substrates (e.g., paper, synthetics, etc.) with information, and substrates including signals encoded therein. One claim recites a substrate-making process including: obtaining an element to be utilized in a substrate-making process, the element including a property to introduce a texture pattern including an encoded signal into a substrate, the encoded signal being machine-detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern, the encoded signal including a variable component; and utilizing the element to impart the texture pattern into a substrate during the substrate-making process. Another claim recites a physical substrate including: a surface having a texture pattern provided in the surface during a substrate-making process. The texture pattern includes a machine-readable signal that is detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern. The signal includes a variable component that has discernable properties in a frequency domain. The texture pattern is provided in the surface during the substrate-marking process by a non-printing element. Of course, other claims and combinations are also provided.

2009-03-26

20090080759

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING PERSISTENT DATA FOR A WAFER AND FOR USING PERSISTENT DATA FOR INSPECTION-RELATED FUNCTIONS - Various systems and methods for creating persistent data for a wafer and using persistent data for inspection-related functions are provided. One system includes a set of processor nodes coupled to a detector of an inspection system. Each of the processor nodes is configured to receive a portion of image data generated by the detector during scanning of a wafer. The system also includes an array of storage media separately coupled to each of the processor nodes. The processor nodes are configured to send all of the image data or a selected portion of the image data received by the processor nodes to the arrays of storage media such that all of the image data or the selected portion of the image data generated by the detector during the scanning of the wafer is stored in the arrays of the storage media.

2009-03-26

20090080760

ANTI-COUNTERFEITING MARK AND METHODS - An anti-counterfeiting mark is formed on a surface of an object, preferably by engraving with a laser at the point of manufacture. The mark includes a padlock symbol visible to a person without magnification for informing the person that anti-counterfeiting techniques are in use. The mark also includes a microscopic pattern. Preferably, the microscopic pattern is varied from object to object for uniqueness. The microscopic pattern must be magnified to properly discern its intricacies. The mark further includes a bar code containing data relating to the microscopic pattern. The microscopic pattern may be compared against the data stored by the bar code to verify authenticity.

2009-03-26

20090080761

Simultaneous wafer ID reading - The present invention discloses apparatuses and methods for simultaneous viewing and reading top and bottom images from a workpiece. The present ID reader can comprise an enclosure covering a top and bottom section of the workpiece with optical elements to guide the light from the workpiece images to a camera. The optical element can be disposed to receive images from a high angle with respect to the surface of the workpiece. The present ID reader can further comprise a light source assembly to illuminate the image. The light source assembly can utilize a coaxial light path with the images, preferably for bright field illumination. The light source assembly can also utilize a non-coaxial light path, preferably for dark field illumination. In an embodiment, the simultaneous images reaching the camera are separate into two distinct images on two different sections of the camera. In another embodiment, the simultaneous images reaching the camera are superimposed into one image on the camera.

2009-03-26

20090080762

Appearance for inspection method - To be provided is an appearance inspection method of acquiring an accurate data regarding a chipping of a semiconductor chip generated by a dicing step. It includes: acquiring the image data of the semiconductor chip; binary-processing the image data; recognizing a chipping end

2009-03-26

20090080763

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE VISUAL CLASSIFICATION OF DEFECTS - A method and system for the classifying of defects in a device is disclosed. The method and system comprises directly classifying samples based upon a feature space; and creating knowledge from the samples of a feature group within the feature space for a supervised classifier. Finally, the method and system includes selecting features to create a best feature group from the feature space for a particular classification of defects. A visual classifier in accordance with the present invention is utilized in three different ways to improve speed and accuracy of the classification. First, the visual classifier directly classifies data. Second, the visual classifier can help to create knowledge about the defects quickly and correctly. Third, a feature selection process is also performed by the visual classifier in accordance with the present invention.

2009-03-26

20090080764

X-RAY INSPECTION OF SOLDER REFLOW IN HIGH-DENSITY PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD APPLICATIONS - According to one embodiment, a method for processing one or more X-ray images includes: receiving at least one image of the one or more X-ray images, the one or more X-ray images being of an assembly extending along a plane; based on the at least one image, autonomously determining a respective displacement value for each of portions of the assembly with respect to one or more directions of the plane, each of the displacement values being determined relative to a respective actual value; storing the displacement values; and applying a rule to the stored displacement values, the rule being for determining a defect status of the assembly.

2009-03-26

20090080765

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE A SELECTED VISUALIZATION OF A RADIOLOGICAL IMAGE OF AN IMAGED SUBJECT - A system to illustrate image data of an imaged subjected is provided. The system comprises an imaging system, an input device, an output device, and a controller in communication with the imaging system, the input device, and the output device. The controller includes a processor to perform program instructions representative of the steps of generating a three-dimensional reconstructed volume from the plurality of two-dimensional, radiography images, navigating through the three-dimensional reconstructed volume, the navigating step including receiving an instruction from an input device that identifies a location of a portion of the three-dimensional reconstructed volume, calculating and generating a two-dimensional display of the portion of the three-dimensional reconstructed volume identified in the navigation step, and reporting the additional view or at least one parameter to calculate and generate the additional view.

2009-03-26

20090080766

Method and apparatus for the Three-Dimensional Digitization of objects - This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the three-dimensional digitization of objects with a 3D sensor, which comprises a projector and one or more cameras, in which a pattern is projected onto the object by means of the projector, and the pattern is detected with the one or more cameras. In accordance with the invention, the method and the apparatus are characterized in that at least three reference marks and/or a reference raster are projected onto the object with the 3D sensor and are detected with two or more external, calibrated digital cameras.

2009-03-26

20090080767

METHOD FOR DETERMINING A DEPTH MAP FROM IMAGES, DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DEPTH MAP - Window based matching is used for determining a depth map from images obtained from different orientations. A set of fixed matching windows is used for points of the image for which the depth is to be determined. The set of matching windows covers a footprint of pixels around the point of the image, and the average number (0) of matching windows that a pixel of the footprint (FP) belongs to is less than one plus the number of pixels in the footprint divided by 15 (0

2009-03-26

20090080768

RECOGNITION METHOD FOR IMAGES BY PROBING ALIMENTARY CANALS - The present invention relates to a recognition method for images by probing alimentary canals. First, series first image data is received. Then, according to a plurality of judgments, judge if the first image data exceeds a threshold value. If so, the image data is stored and second image data is inputted for recognition. Thereby, by the plurality of judgments with partially identical characteristics, multiple diseases can be recognized at a time, and repeated operation can be eliminated and the processing time be reduced. In addition, by integrating different recognition methods, the amount of system operation can be reduced, and the operation speed can be thereby improved.

2009-03-26

20090080769

Image data processing apparatus and method - An image data processing apparatus receives trichromatic image data with values expressing red, green, and blue and generates information indicating the gamut of colors of the image data. The gamut information is obtained from maximum and minimum values, or values equivalent to the maximum and minimum values, pertaining to different color components during a prescribed time interval, and indicates the actual gamut of colors that appear during the prescribed time interval. The gamut information is appended to the image data, or output separately from the image data, for use in subsequent image processing.

2009-03-26

20090080770

IMAGE PIXEL SUBSAMPLING TO REDUCE A NUMBER OF PIXEL CALCULATIONS - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for processing captured image data are described. A first array of pixel data values corresponding to a captured image is received. The first array is segmented into a plurality of N by M array portions. A subsample pattern is selected for each N by M array portion of the plurality of N by M array portions from a plurality of subsample patterns so that each N by M array portion has a corresponding selected subsample pattern. The subsample patterns may be selected in a random fashion, or other fashion, to avoid noise patterns in a spatial domain (same image frame) and/or in a time domain (across multiple image frames). Each N by M array portion is subsampled according to the corresponding selected subsample pattern to generate a second array of filtered pixel data values. The second array of filtered pixel data values corresponds to a down-sized version of the captured image. This process may be performed on data of multiple color channels corresponding to the captured image, and on data corresponding to multiple captured image frames in a video stream.

2009-03-26

20090080771

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An illumination component extractor is operable to extract an illumination component from input image data by: performing a smoothing process a certain number of times to generate a plurality of smooth image data having resolutions different from one another from the input image data, the smoothing process including an operation of filtering the input image data with use of a low-pass filter having a predetermined size and an operation of downsampling the filtered input image data; and performing an inverse-smoothing process a certain number of times, the inverse-smoothing process including an operation of replacing an edge portion of a smooth image data having a lower resolution with a smooth image data having a higher resolution, and an operation of upsampling the replaced smooth image data. The input image data is color image data which has been obtained by an image sensor including a number of pixels having different spectral sensitivities.

2009-03-26

20090080772

Radiometric Calibration from a Single Image - Radiometric calibration of an image capture device (e.g., a digital camera) using a single image is described. The single image may be a color image or a grayscale image. The calibration identifies and analyzes edge pixels of the image that correspond to an edge between two colors or grayscale levels of a scene. Intensity distributions of intensities measured from the single image are then analyzed. An inverse response function for the image capture device is determined based on the intensity distributions. For a color image, the radiometric calibration involves calculating an inverse response function that maps measured blended colors of edge pixels and the associated measured component colors into linear distributions. For a grayscale image, the radiometric calibration involves deriving an inverse response function that maps non-uniform histograms of measured intensities into uniform distributions of calibrated intensities.

2009-03-26

20090080773

Image segmentation using dynamic color gradient threshold, texture, and multimodal-merging - A method for segmenting an image receives the image. The image has a number of pixels and a number of color channels. The image is initially segmented into a number of initial regions at least by dynamically selecting a plurality of seeds within the image using a dynamic color gradient threshold and growing the initial regions from the seeds until the initial regions encompass all the pixels of the image. A texture channel of the image is generated at least by applying an entropy filter to each of a plurality of quantized colors of the image. The initial regions into which the image has been initially segmented are multimodal-merged based on the color channels and the texture channel of the image, to yield a number of merged regions corresponding to segmentation of the image.

2009-03-26

20090080774

Hybrid Graph Model For Unsupervised Object Segmentation - This disclosure describes an integrated framework for class-unsupervised object segmentation. The class-unsupervised object segmentation occurs by integrating top-down constraints and bottom-up constraints on object shapes using an algorithm in an integrated manner. The algorithm describes a relationship among object parts and superpixels. This process forms object shapes with object parts and oversegments pixel images into the superpixels, with the algorithm in conjunction with the constraints. This disclosure describes computing a mask map from a hybrid graph, segmenting the image into a foreground object and a background, and displaying the foreground object from the background.

2009-03-26

20090080775

IMAGE-PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH HAS AN IMAGE REGION DISTINCTION PROCESSING CAPABILITY, AND AN IMAGE REGION DISTINCTION PROCESSING METHOD - In an image-processing apparatus having a capability of performing region distinction processing and an image region discrimination processing method, a first region distinction unit uses a previously set threshold value for an image region distinction to perform a region distinction processing of a character and a non-character on image data read from an original document, an edge feature amount image and a character determination signal are obtained, a second region distinction unit makes a region distinction on the edge feature amount image based on the threshold value and generates and displays sub-region images obtained by dividing the edge feature amount image into plural parts, a character discrimination strength adjustment is performed on a display screen while each of the sub-region images is visually identified, the correction parameter is reflected in the edge feature amount image, and the region distinction processing is performed again.

2009-03-26

20090080776

IMAGE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE DATA PROCESSING METHOD - An image data processing system includes an extracting unit extracting from an image signal corresponding to one image a signal corresponding to a pixel block including plural pixels in the image, a threshold calculating unit calculating a threshold for classifying the plural pixels into plural segments by linear calculation of display values of the plural pixels, a representative value calculating unit calculating plural representative values corresponding to the plural segments, a generating unit generating an arrangement pattern representing an arrangement of the representative values in the pixel block, and a transmitting unit transmitting the representative values and the arrangement pattern.

2009-03-26

20090080777

Methods and Apparatus for Filtering Video Packets for Large-Scale Video Stream Monitoring - A method of filtering video packets for video stream monitoring is provided. A video packet of a video stream is received. One or more features are extracted from a specified frame of the video packet via one or more histograms and frequency domain coefficients of the specified frame. One or more concept detectors are implemented on the one or more features creating one or more confidence values. The confidence values are transmitted to a display module for filtering of video packets.

2009-03-26

20090080778

PATTERN RECOGNITION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DATA PROTECTION - Provided a secure pattern recognition method. The method includes: receiving data and generating a probe by converting the received data into a template for pattern recognition; accessing a gallery that is a template registered and stored in advance; determining a region to which the probe belongs and obtaining the center point of the region; obtaining a hash value of the center point and coordinate of the probe; and determining whether or not the hash value of the center point and a hash value stored in the gallery are equal and determining whether or not the probe and the gallery are classified into the same class by calculating whether or not the coordinate of the probe is inside a decision boundary configured with thresholds on the basis of the coordinates of the center point.

2009-03-26

20090080779

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTRATION OF CONTRAST- ENHANCED IMAGES WITH VOLUME-PRESERVING CONSTRAINT - A method and system for registering a first image of, for example, a liver and a second image of the liver being contrast-enhanced comprises: deriving a statistical similarity measure between images; deriving a smooth divergence-free vector field derived from a gradient of the statistical similarity measure; and integrating the vector field for providing a fluid-based algorithm including a volume-preserving constraint for a transformation for registering the images.

Pattern retrieval method and apparatus - There is provided a pattern retrieval method for retrieving a reference pattern from a range to be retrieved, based on a correlation between image data in the range to be retrieved with the reference pattern indicated thereon and reference image data representing the reference pattern, wherein a plurality of characteristic lines less than the number of scanning lines are set in any one of a horizontal scanning direction and a vertical scanning direction of the reference image data. Then, the image data in the range to be retrieved is captured, a correlation value between the captured image data in the range to be retrieved and a pixel array on the set plurality of characteristic lines of the reference image data is calculated, and a position of the reference pattern in the range to be retrieved is detected based on the calculated correlation value.

2009-03-26

20090080782

Image data output processing apparatus and image data output processing method - An image data output processing apparatus of the present invention, in a case where a reference document is duplex, causes a storage process section, in a storage mode, to store, at the time of storage, a DocID indicative of the reference document so as to correspond to an ID indicative of respective document images on front and back sides of the reference document. In a matching mode, in a case where a matching document is duplex, (i) an ID similar to that of the reference document and (ii) a corresponding DocID are extracted for each of the document images on the front side and the back side of the matching document, so as to create candidate lists for front and back sides of the matching document. If first candidates in the candidate lists correspond to an identical DocID, it is determined that the images are similar to each other, and if the first candidates do not correspond to the identical DocID, a determination result is corrected to a reference document that corresponds to the identical DocID. Thus, it is possible to realize an image data output process that can reliably control an output process, in the case where input image data is of a duplex document and includes a document image in which its output process is regulated.

2009-03-26

20090080783

IMAGE DATA OUTPUT PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DATA OUTPUT PROCESSING METHOD - In an image data output processing apparatus of the present invention, an image matching section is capable of determining whether a similarity exists between each image of an N-up document and a reference document when input image data is indicative of the N-up document. An output process control section is capable of regulating an output process of each image in accordance with a result of determining whether the similarity exists between each image of the N-up document and the reference document. This allows detecting with high accuracy a document image under regulation on the output process and regulating the output process, when the input image data is indicative of an N-up document and includes the document image under regulation on the output process.

2009-03-26

20090080784

ENHANCED DECOMPRESSION OF COMPRESSED DATA - Enhanced decompression of compressed images, in which a decompressed image with a target resolution is assembled using an iteratively decompressed and downscaled quantity of scanlines of a compressed image, the quantity of scanlines correlating to a downscaling factor determined based on an original resolution of the compressed image and the target resolution.

2009-03-26

20090080785

Bitstream format for compressed image data - It is desirable to provide a bitstream format for compressed data that would allow multiple processors to access and decompress different parts of the data in parallel. Compressed images are usually defined in terms of macroblocks that have a width less than the image width and a height less than the image height. Thus, an image is divided several bands of multiple lines, and each band of multiple lines is divided into a macroblock. The set of macroblocks that define a band is called herein a macroblock rasterscan. The bit stream format includes, for each image, a picture header followed by image scan data. The image scan data includes data corresponding to a plurality of macroblock rasterscans. The data for each macroblock rasterscan includes data for a plurality of macroblocks for a band of lines in the image followed by padding. The padding ensures that data for each macroblock rasterscan terminates on a data boundary. The picture header references an image scan index that indicates a number of macroblock rasterscans in the image scan data and a number of lines per macroblock rasterscan, followed by entries of the index. Each entry in the index includes an offset of the macroblock rasterscan in image scan. The picture header may contain a reference to a picture header type, that references an I_frame_image_descriptor, which references the image scan index.

2009-03-26

20090080786

IMAGE ENCODING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - This invention encodes an image mixed of a character or line-drawing image and a natural image. An extraction unit extracts the color of a pixel, which constitutes a high-frequency component, from the input image data as an extracted color and generates identification information indicating whether each pixel in the image data is a pixel of an extracted color or non-extracted color. A replacement unit replaces a pixel value of an extracted color with an average value of non-extracted colors. Using a window having a size of 2×2 pixels, a reducing unit generates one pixel from the window after replacement. If even one non-extracted-color pixel exists in the window, the average value of non-extracted colors within the window is determined to be a pixel value of the reduced image. A packing unit concatenates the extracted color, the result of lossless-encoded identification information and lossy-encoded data of the reduced image.

2009-03-26

20090080787

Image Compression and Expansion Technique - The present invention aims at improving an image compression rate and enhancing quality of images after expansion. An image compression device generates compressed data formed by compressing an image. The device includes a boundary area detection section for detecting boundary areas which include both of internal and external parts of an object rendered in the image, from among plural areas included in the image; a non-boundary area data generation section for, by compressing non-boundary areas which are not the boundary areas in the image, in a predetermined compression mode, generating partial compressed data in the compressed data, corresponding to the non-boundary areas; and a boundary area data generation section for generating partial compressed data in the compressed data, corresponding to the boundary areas, from the boundary areas, in a mode in which difference between images before compression and after expansion is less in comparison with a case where the boundary areas are compressed in the predetermined compression mode.

2009-03-26

20090080788

Multiple Technique Entropy Coding System And Method - A system, method and computer program product having optimal matching to a known or measured probability distribution encodes data without the use of an excessively large lookup table. An encoder constructed according to the present invention uses two or more different encoding methods in combination. In one embodiment, Huffman coding by table lookup is combined with computational generation, such as by using an exponential Golomb equation. The most commonly occurring elements are looked up in a small Huffman table, while the remaining elements are coded with the equation. In another embodiment, data is encoded using two or more equations. In yet another embodiment, data is encoded using multiple tables in conjunction with one or more equations.

2009-03-26

20090080789

Projection display and projection display control program - A projection display may include a frame rate conversion section selectively performing a first frame rate conversion process or a second frame rate conversion process, an image process section selectively performing a black insertion process or a pair-frames gamma process, and outputting a result as a pair of consecutive image frames, a projection display section projecting and displaying an image on the basis of the video signal processed by the frame rate conversion section or the image process section, and a control section controlling the frame rate conversion section or the image process section according to a selected operation on a menu screen, where the control section performs the user interface function so that the black insertion process or the pair-frames gamma process by the image process section is selected with priority over the first frame rate conversion process by the frame rate conversion section.

2009-03-26

20090080790

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and image capturing apparatus - An image processing apparatus for correcting an input image for blur using a recovery filter in accordance with image blurriness includes a blurriness determining unit that receives a target image to be corrected, applies to the target image a recovery filter including a degree-of-blur parameter corresponding to blurriness while changing a value of the degree-of-blur parameter, evaluates a degree of recovery of each of corrected target images which have been corrected with recovery filters having different degree-of-blur parameter values, and determines blurriness of the target image based on the degree-of-blur parameter value of the highly evaluated recovery filter; and a blur correction unit that sets a recovery filter for the target image based on the degree-of-blur parameter in accordance with the determined blurriness of the target image and corrects the target image for blur using the recovery filter.

2009-03-26

20090080791

Image generation method, device, and image synthesis equipment - An image generation method, image generation device, and image synthesis device include generating at least two images at different exposure times. Intensities of pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively obtained. Reliabilities of the pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively obtained. The intensities of the corresponding pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively multiplied by the corresponding reliabilities, and then the products are summed, so as to obtain intensities of pixels in a synthesized image and thus generate the synthesized image. By using the technical schemes of the present disclosure, an image with abundant details can be generated in real time.

2009-03-26

20090080792

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANTI-ALIASING SCAN CONVERSION - Methods and apparatuses for anti-aliasing scan conversion. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method to scan convert an image on a data processing system includes: sampling the image in a first direction to generate first signals for points along a second line in a second direction using a closed form solution for a convolution integral with a first kernel; and weighting the first signals for the points according to a second kernel in the second direction to generate a second signal for a pixel. In one example according to this aspect, the closed form solution is tabulated in a look up table. After entries are looked up from the look up table according to the image along a first line in the first direction on a first point of the points, the entries are combined to generate one of the first signals for the first point.

2009-03-26

20090080793

Image adjustment apparatus and method thereof - The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method thereof for adjusting a luminance of an image signal. The apparatus includes a complementary circuit, a statistical circuit, a calculating circuit, and a blending circuit. The complementary circuit receives an image signal to generate a complementary luminance according to the luminance of the image signal. The statistical circuit receives the image signal to generate a statistical signal according to the luminance of the image signal. The calculating circuit receives the image signal, the complementary luminance, and the statistical signal to generate a calculated luminance of the image signal. The blending circuit generates an output image signal according to the calculated luminance and the luminance of the image signal. A video display device can thereby displays optimum pictures according to the output image signal.

2009-03-26

20090080794

IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, MICROCOMPUTER, AND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT - An image processing device that receives pixel-unit image data in a plurality of frames in time series and performs image processing, the image data being captured by an imaging section, the image processing device including a brightness change detection section that integrates pixel values or pixel components relating to luminance of at least part of pixels of the received image data in each of the frames to calculate an integrated value, compares the integrated value with a given comparison target value, and detects a change in brightness of an image in each of the frames based on a comparison result.

2009-03-26

20090080795

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus comprises an extractor for extracting a brightness component from image data; a scale converter for obtaining a distribution of the brightness component on relatively large scale; a brightness component improver for improving the distribution of the brightness component of the image data by using the brightness component and an output of the converter; and an image reproducer for reproducing the image data by using an output of the improver as a distribution of a brightness component of a new image, wherein the apparatus further comprises a face detector for detecting a face area from the image data, and the improver adjusts a degree of improvement by using a distribution of a brightness component of the face area being an output of the detector. Thus, it is possible to automatically adjust the degree of improvement of the luminance distribution according to the image data to be processed.

2009-03-26

20090080796

Defect Correction in Blurred Images - A method and apparatus for providing defect correction in blurred images is disclosed. For one embodiment of the invention, a digital image is acquired. One or more candidate defect regions in the image are identified. The candidate defect regions are corrected and responsive to the image being blurred, the corrected regions of the image are blurred. For one embodiment of the invention, a digital image is acquired and one or more candidate eye defect regions in the image are identified. The candidate eye defect regions are corrected and if the image is blurred, the corrected regions of the image are blurred accordingly.

2009-03-26

20090080797

Eye Defect Detection in International Standards Organization Images - A method and apparatus for providing image processing. For one embodiment of the invention, a digital image is acquired. One or more relatively large candidate red eye defect regions are detected in at least a portion of the image. Face detection is applied to at least a portion of the image to eliminate non-face regions and one or more relatively small candidate red eye defect regions are identified in at least a portion of the image not including the eliminated non-face regions.

2009-03-26

20090080798

PROCESSING AN INPUT IMAGE TO REDUCE COMPRESSION-RELATED ARTIFACTS - In a method for processing an input image to reduce compression-related artifacts, a plurality of block transforms of the input image having respective plurality of block-grid locations are generated, where each of the block-grid locations is shifted with respect to the block-grid locations in each of the other block transformed images. In addition, a plurality of respective intermediate transform domain filtered images having modified transform coefficients are generated. Per-pixel relative weights are assigned to each of the intermediate transform domain filtered images, where each of the intermediate transform domain filtered images has different contexts, and where the per-pixel relative weights are adaptive to the local context in each of the intermediate transform domain filtered images. Moreover, a weighted average of inverse-transforms of the intermediate transform domain filtered images from the per-pixel relative weights to produce an artifact-reduced image is calculated and the artifact-reduced image is outputted.

2009-03-26

20090080799

METHOD FOR CREATING REFERENCE IMAGES IN ELECTRON MICROSCOPES - Methods for creating reference images of fiber optic sensor plates for use in electron microscopes. The methods include taking of reference images of stripe or dot patterns. The spatial frequency of the stripe or dot patterns is such that image artifacts of the fiber optic stacks is recorded. The reference images can then be used to correct for these artifacts.

2009-03-26

20090080800

Multiple Index Mixed Media Reality Recognition Using Unequal Priority Indexes - An MMR system for processing image queries across index tables with unequal priority comprises a plurality of mobile devices, a pre-processing server or MMR gateway, and an MMR matching unit, and may include an MMR publisher. The MMR matching unit receives an image query from the pre-processing server or MMR gateway and sends it to one or more of the recognition units to identify a result including a document, the page, and the location on the page. The MMR matching unit includes a dispatcher, a plurality of recognition units, and index tables, as well as an image registration unit. In one embodiment, the system includes an MMR matching plug-in installed on the mobile device. The present invention also includes methods for processing image queries across index tables of unequal priority and updating a high priority index based on received or projected image queries.

2009-03-26

20090080801

ALTERING THE APPEARANCE OF A DIGITAL IMAGE USING A SHAPE - Technologies are described herein for altering the appearance of a digital image using a shape. A mask edit mode of operation is provided in which an application program displays a mask shape superimposed on a digital image. The application program also provides user interface controls for altering the size, position, and rotation of the digital image independently of the mask shape, and user interface controls for altering the size, position, and rotation of the mask shape independently of the digital image. When a cropping request is received, the portion of the digital image within the mask shape is mapped onto the mask shape, thereby creating a mask-cropped shape, and a normal editing mode is entered. In the normal editing mode a set of user interface controls is provided for modifying the size, position, and rotation of the mask-cropped shape.

2009-03-26

20090080802

INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING COMPOSITE IMAGE - An information processing apparatus includes: a first decoder that decodes first image data into a first image; a second decoder that decodes second image data into a second image; a third decoder that decodes third image data into a third image; a compose unit that composes, into a first area in the first image, an image of a second area of the second image, the second area having the same coordinate position as the first area; and a blend processing unit that generates a display screen no by overlapping the second image, the third image and the first image being superimposed with the second image, in order from bottom to top.

2009-03-26

20090080803

IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Provided is a program that is executed by an image processing apparatus including a memory and a processor, and which generates two-dimensional image data obtained by performing perspective projection to a virtual three-dimensional space on a prescribed perspective projection plane. The program causes the processor to perform processes of (a) arranging a viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space, generating basic image data by performing perspective projection on the perspective projection plane set in correspondence to the viewpoint, and storing the basic image data in the memory; (b) setting a concentration map showing a concentration value associated with a partial region of the basic image data, and storing the concentration map in the memory; (c) reading texture data from the memory; and (d) generating the two-dimensional image data by synthesizing the texture data with the basic image data at a ratio according to the concentration value set with the concentration map.

2009-03-26

20090080804

METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING IMAGE, RECEIVING DEVICE, AND IMAGE STORAGE DEVICE - A technique is provided for reducing the size of each of images included in an image signal and generating a high-resolution image with minimized degradation in the image quality from the reduced images. Alias components and motion information that are included in the image signal having the reduced images are used for conversion of the images included in the image signal into a high-resolution image. Low pass filtering is performed on a frequency component in the direction of a motion included in the image signal and a frequency component in a direction other than the direction of the motion. The cut-off frequency of the low pass filter in the direction other than the direction of the motion is lower than the cut-off frequency of the low pass filter in the direction of the motion.

2009-03-26

20090080805

Fast Method of Super-Resolution Processing - A method is provided for speeding up a super-resolution processing by reducing the number of times for convolution operation that is the number of times for estimation calculation.

2009-03-26

20090080806

FAST METHOD OF SUPER-RESOLUTION PROCESSING - The present invention provides a fast method of super-resolution processing which realizes speedup of the high-speed super-resolution processing by speeding up the calculations of an evaluation function and the differential of the evaluation function with respect to a high-resolution image in a reconstruction-based super-resolution processing.

2009-03-26

20090080807

Image Processing System and Image Processing Apparatus - A raw image data creating unit that creates a raw image data; an image file creating unit capable of creating an image file conforming to a predetermined format based on the created raw image data; and a control unit for determining based on a predetermined criterion whether an external apparatus is caused to execute at least part of a process for creating the image file based on the raw image data, outputting the raw image data or halfway processed data obtained when the image file creating unit is caused to execute the process halfway to the external apparatus, instructing the external apparatus to create the image file based on the raw image data or the halfway processed data if the control unit determines that the external apparatus is caused to execute it, and causing the image file creating unit to execute creating the image file if the control unit determines that the external apparatus is not caused to execute it.